Is the Pentax K5 simply a modest upgrade to an already existing camera, or one that deserves recognition in its own right?

Jump to Section:

The Pentax K-5 is a highly-specified and immensely enjoyable camera to use, and one which can easily withstand an array of photographic challenges.

It is hard to imagine how its menu system and the controls round its body could be presented any better, but perhaps its finest quality is its willingness to help the photographer out through the numerous and often unexpected interventions, particularly when finding correct focus, or appropriate colour and white balance settings.

You may also like...Pentax K-30 review

Though its body handles well and offers many direct functions for immediate access, improvements could nevertheless be made to make some of these less awkward.

Either way, by not entirely changing a winning formula but simply making it a little better, Pentax has delivered a competent contender when you compare the K-5 vs D7000 and K-5 vs Canon 60D.

Overall, the Pentax K-5 marries a well-rounded specification list with a stellar performance, and stands as an ideal upgrade to Pentax's previous DSLRs.

Pentax K-5 incorporates a new generation CMOS sensor, combined with the reliable PRIME II Imaging Engine, which produce high-resolution, rich-gradation digital images. The K-5 also offers a wide sensitivity range, from ISO 100 to 12800, which can be expanded to ISO 80~51200. As the Analog/Digital conversion is done within the sensor, K-5 features an impressive noise management.